Gemotions

"Unbelievable." Sarah muttered, the word a tight, strangled sound. She’d been enjoying a rare afternoon of quiet in her favorite armchair, a mug of chamomile tea warming her hands, when the link had arrived in her inbox. A click and it had all exploded into view. Her diary, digitized and public, accessible to anyone with an internet connection. The thought sent a shiver through her.

Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through the entries. Her adolescent self, raw and vulnerable, was exposed to the world. A flush of heat crept up her neck, staining her cheeks a furious red. She felt a profound sense of exposure, like she was standing naked in a crowded street.

She slammed the laptop shut, the abrupt action making her jump. She needed air. Rising, she paced the length of her living room, her steps uneven, her hands repeatedly clenching and unclenching.